Levitation and linear propulsion system using ceramic permanent magnets and interleaved malleable steel

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a magnetic unit having a plurality of groups of ceramic magnets arranged in a side-by-side relationship, each plurality being separated from an adjacent plurality by a malleable steel member to focus the lines of magnetic flux. Preferably, each of the ceramic magnets within a group is also separated by an interleaved sheet of malleable steel. Such a plurality of groups of ceramic magnets are secured together and to a supporting member through fastening members, and are separated from the support by a non-magnetic member, such as a non-ferrous plate. A second plurality of groups of ceramic magnets are positioned adjacent to a first plurality of such groups of ceramic magnets with opposite poles of the magnets facing each other so that the first and the second pluralities of such groups of magnetics attract one another. Those forces of attraction are used to cause levitation of a vehicle such as a train. A plurality of such groups of magnetic units are so arranged relative to a support member of a train and an adjacent track member. A hydraulic unit, which may be microprocessor controlled, is used to adjust the air gap between respective pairs of such units. A third main feature of the invention relates to the use of such units to provide a main component of a linear motor for propelling the train along the track.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a movable vehicle, such as a train, which uses a plurality of magnetic units, each comprising a plurality of ceramic magnets and interleaved malleable steel members, for both levitation and for acting as a linear motor. More particularly, this invention relates to a levitated train using such magnetic units arranged to attract each other, thus to lift the train off of a track while being laterally supported. More particularly, this invention relates to a levitated train which uses such magnetic units as a basis for a linear motor for propelling the train. Still more particularly, this invention relates to the magnetic units themselves, each having a plurality of ceramic magnets interleaved between associated sheets of malleable steel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,791,309 to Baermann, it was recognized that it has been known to suspend vehicles such as trains along a supporting line or track by air cushions, or along a track made from a magnetically attracted material. In one such vehicle, the vehicle has electromagnets mounted thereon and the vehicle is suspended with respect to the track by utilizing the attractive forces between the electromagnets and the track. Some means are provided for maintaining an intermediate air gap between the electromagnets and the track. However, such an arrangement requires a relatively high amount of energy to energize the magnets in order to achieve the strong magnetic forces necessary.

Baermann also recognized that the use of superconductivity has been studied for this purpose. However, that use suffered from the difficulty of maintaining the low temperatures required by superconductivity along the entire track.

Baermann thus proposed a magnetic levitation system using electromagnets arranged in a repulsive force arrangement with lateral support structures for the vehicle. However, it remained a problem to avoid the need for providing power to such electromagnets. Thus, Baermann shows main permanent magnets and additional permanent magnets that span spaces between the main magnets which have like poles facing like poles, thus to increase the available suspension forces.

In the U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,260, to Minovitch, the use is disclosed of ceramic ferrite brick magnets placed in an end to end relationship along a steel channel, with a similar grouping opposed thereto, thus to eliminate flux leakage while providing lateral stability and an increased repulsive force.

It has, however, continued to be a problem in this art to effectively utilize permanent magnet systems for levitation, and to provide simple propulsion means for such levitated systems.

It has also been a continuing problem in this art to provide a basic ceramic magnet unit to act as a building block for levitation systems which do not require electromagnetics.

These and other shortcomings of the prior art will become apparent from a review of the detailed description of this invention which follows.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an overall object of this invention to provide a magnetic unit suitable for use in levitating a vehicle, such as a train, which unit uses ceramic magnets.

It is another overall object of this invention to provide such a magnetic unit using a plurality of ceramic magnets individually using malleable steel between the magnets, and a plurality of such magnetic units connected together with malleable steel members therebetween.

It is another overall object of this invention to use such magnetic units on opposing portions of a support member for a train and a support member on a track system and arranged to controllably attract each other thus to cause levitation of the train relative to the track.

It is still another overall object of this invention to use such magnetic units in a linear motor having commutators on the fixed portion of the track and a movable core secured to the train.

These and other objects of this invention will become also become apparent from a detailed description of the invention which follows.

A main feature of the invention relates to a magnetic unit comprising a plurality of groups of ceramic magnets arranged in a side-by-side relationship, each plurality being separated from an adjacent plurality by a malleable steel member to focus the lines of magnetic flux. Preferably, each of the ceramic magnets within a group is also separated by an interleaved sheet of malleable steel. Such a plurality of groups of ceramic magnets are secured together and to a supporting member through fastening members, and are separated from the support by a nonmagnetic member, such as a non-ferrous plate. A second plurality of groups of ceramic magnets are positioned adjacent to a first plurality of such groups of ceramic magnets with opposite poles of the magnets facing each other so that the first and the second pluralities of such groups of magnetics attract one another. Those forces of attraction are used to cause levitation of a vehicle such as a train.

A second feature of the invention relates to a combination of a plurality of such groups of magnetic units so arranged relative to a support member of a train and an adjacent track member. A pair of such plurality of such groups of magnetic units are preferably positioned on opposed sides of the vehicle for balance and for increased levitation strength. A hydraulic unit, which may be microprocessor controlled, is used to adjust the air gap between respective pairs of such units.

A third main feature of the invention relates to the use of such units to provide a main component of a linear motor for propelling the train along the track. By initially energizing a prime mover on the train to initiate movement, the train is aided in its travel by a plurality of such magnetic units providing repeated alternating zones of attraction and repulsion. By use of a brush arrangement, the momentum of the train, once movement is initiated, is aided by travel through the zones wherein the magnetic forces of attraction aid movement of the train by attracting the train toward an attraction zone, and magnetic forces of attraction also aid movement of the train by repelling the train away from a repulsion zone.

These and other features of the invention will be seen in the detailed description of the invention which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a train incorporating the invention travelling on a rail supported above the terrain;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the train taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front cross sectional view of a portion of FIG. 2 showing a portion of a hydraulic system used to control distance between magnetic fields;

FIG. 4 is a lateral view of the same portion as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view, partially in cross section, showing a portion of the magnetic levitation system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 shows an upper portion, partially cutaway, and viewed from above, of a linear motor used for propelling the train;

FIG. 7 shows the electrical connections between the windings and the brushes for the linear motor of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 shows a transverse cross sectional view of the linear motor of FIGS. 6 and 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1, a train 10 incorporating the invention is supported on an elongated concrete beam member 11 supported above the terrain by a plurality of stanchions 12. The beam member 11 includes a pair of spaced, opposed horizontal members 13, 14 extending generally horizontally at the top of the beam member 11, and a similar pair of spaced, opposed horizontal members 15, 16 extending generally horizontally at the bottom of the beam member 11. The beam member thus defines a pair of opposed, generally horizontally-extending channels 17, 18 each receiving magnetic rails for the train 10 as will be discussed in greater detail. The channel 17 is defined between the upper horizontally-extending member 13 and the lower horizontally-extending member 15, while the channel 18 is defined between the upper horizontally-extending member 14 and the lower horizontally extending member 16.

A second channel 20 is defined at the upper portion of the beam 11 for receiving a horizontally extending linear motor, referred to generally with the reference numeral 19. The linear motor 19 will be discussed in greater detail later in this specification.

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross sectional view of the train 10 taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1. The train 10 comprises, in simplified detail, an outer skin member 21 defining an interior compartment 22 having a plurality of seats 23 and overhead luggage compartments 24. An ingress/egress door is shown at 25. The interior compartment is supported on a structural bearing member 26. It should be understood that the depiction of the train 10 is representative and that the actual construction can assume a number of different forms well known in the public transportation arts.

The structural bearing member 26 extends transversely to the beam 11 and has a spring-like structural bearing member 27 secured at its opposed ends to the bearing member 26. A portion of the bearing member 27 is spaced from the bearing member 26 and contacts a massive C-shaped train support member 30 having a transversely extending surface portion 28, merging with opposed downwardly extending legs 29, 31 spaced apart wider that the upper surface of the beam 11 at its generally horizontally extending upper members 13, 14. Inwardly-turned horizontally extending bearing members 32, 33 are respectively secured at the opposed lower ends of the downwardly extending legs 29, 31 so as to define upper surfaces 29a, 31a which are normally spaced from lower surfaces 13a, 14a of the generally horizontally extending members 13, 14 of the beam 11. The inwardly-turned horizontally extending members 32, 33 thus extend inwardly within the channels 17, 18 for traveling along the beam.

A plurality of magnetic units shown generally at the reference numeral 34 are secured to the lower surfaces 13a, 14a of each of the horizontally extending members 13, 14 while a plurality of mating magnetic units shown generally at the reference numeral 35 are secured to the upper surfaces 32a, 33a of the members 32, 33. The magnetic units are arranged in pairs and their magnetic poles selected so that magnetically attractive forces are generated thus to attract the arms 32, 33 toward the members 13, 14. Thus, the downward weight of the train 10 can be controllably attracted to the lower surfaces 13a, 14a within limits sufficient to define an appropriate gap, as will be discussed. When so levitated, the train 10 can then be propelled longitudinally along the beam 11 by a minimal amount of force sufficient to overcome air friction and grade forces.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show an at-rest roller mechanism for the train, as shown generally at the reference numeral 36, having a hydraulic adjustment capability. Each of a pair of generally L-shaped members 37 has a generally vertical leg 38 secured to an outer surface 15a,16a of the lower, generally horizontally extending members 15, 16. The leg merges to a horizontally extending leg 39 spaced intermediate the outer horizontally extending surfaces of a pair of roller members 40, 41, each of which is respectively secured to a roller support bracket 42 which is C-shaped in cross section. The roller bracket 42 includes a horizontally extending upper surface 42a, a generally horizontally extending lower surface 42b spaced from the upper surface 42a, each of which respectively merges with a generally vertical member 42c. A pair of spaced vertically extending members 42c respectively merge at their ends with respective opposed ends of the members 42a, 42b. Thus, the rollers 40 are respectively rotationally mounted about axles 42a, 42b between the legs 40d and 40c, for the roller 40, and between the legs 40e and 40c. Securing nuts 43a, and 43b are secured at the opposed ends of the axles 42a and 42b.

An upper surface of the leg 42a is secured to a leg member 45a of a hydraulic actuator unit 45 secured to the member 29. The hydraulic actuator is controlled by microprocessors to maintain a predetermined air gap between the adjacent magnetic units 35. The computer will take into account such data as the current weight load of the train, the current air gap, the desired air gap, and the maintenance history of the rail. Starting with the units in juxtaposition, the hydraulic actuators will cause the units to separate to the desired degree of separation, e.g. about 1/8 to 1/4 in. or so.

FIG. 5 shows in greater detail the construction of each of the magnetic units 35. Each magnetic unit comprises a plurality of bar-shaped ceramic magnets 51 separated by a plurality of generally T-shaped malleable steel rails 52 wherein the end members 52a are generally L-shaped. A sandwich like construction unit 55 is formed by alternating an end member 52a, a ceramic magnet 51, a T-shaped steel rail 52, a ceramic magnet 51 or a plurality of such magnets, and so forth. Each of the sandwich like construction units is secured together as by a non-magnetic bolt 53, secured at its opposing ends by a non-magnetic fastener 54. Preferably, each group of ceramic magnets is separated by a malleable steel plate located between adjacent ceramic magnets, and each of a plurality of such groups is separated by a malleable steel plate.

Ceramic magnets are readily commercially available and are selected for their magnetic strength and physical sizing from commercial sources.

The construction units 55 are respectively secured to the horizontally extended member 13 and to the support member 29 by a pair of opposed L-shaped members 56 respectively secured to both the members 13, 29 and to the construction units 55. The space between the construction units 55 is shown generally by the reference numeral 57 and is the space controlled by the hydraulic system shown in FIG. 4. A construction unit 51 is secured to the horizontally extending member through a non-ferrous metal protector 58. Similarly, a second construction unit 51 is secured to the support unit 29 through a non-ferrous metal protector 59.

The poles of the ceramic units are arranged to alternate linearly transversely across the unit 51. That is, the arrangement of magnets is S-N-N-S-S-N-N and so forth. In contrast, the adjacent unit 51 is arranged according to the scheme N-S-S-N-N-S-S and so forth. When placed adjacently, opposite poles are in register creating magnetic forces of attraction between the two units.

The construction units 55 thus use passive energy produced by a combination of ceramic magnets 51 and malleable steel members 52. This combination of materials provides the same results as conventional copper wire wound around a malleable steel core and electricity. An advantage of such a unit is that it does not create thermal energy to become hot and does not produce electromagnetic energy which may be harmful. Nor does it use energy except what is required to be applied to the ceramic magnets to produce permanent magnetic force.

The magnetic units 55 with an air gap 57 of 1/2" to 1/8" using the forces of attraction can levitate a great amount of weight at very low costs. A rail 11/4" thick can levitate 5 lbs. per sq. in. and a 3" rail can levitate 10 lbs. per sq. in. with an air gap of 1/8". Thus, vehicles traveling by this means of levitation effectively float above the travel rail with friction markedly reduced, thus producing little wear on the equipment. Energy consumption is limited to a start movement and displacing air drag and any grade changes on the track, and to operation of brakes (not shown).

Such units have many uses and may be used, for example, for high speed passenger trains traveling over 300 mph and for low speed innercity transportation, as well as for transporting freight. Thus, systems using such units save time and fuel, while protecting the environment from fuel emissions.

FIGS. 6 shows an upper partially cutaway view of the linear motor 19 located in the channel 20 of the beam 11, as best seen in FIG. 1. A motor chassis 71 is disposed beneath the train 10 in a manner suitable for the particular installation. The opposed inner wall surfaces 20a of the channel 20 receive a channel member 72 for contacting the lateral guides 73 of the mobile train chassis. Each guide 73 comprises a guide support 74 secured to the chassis 71, such as by bolt fasteners, which house a plurality of guide rollers 75 secured to the guide support 74 so as to be rotatable, such as on roller bearings. The opposed guides 73 provide lateral stability for the train when traversing the linear motor, and help prevent side-to-side sway. The chassis 71 is representatively shown as being suspended from the train through a support 76 secured to the chassis 71 and receiving a pair of suspension straps 77 in a pivotable relationship.

A brush support member 78 is also secured to the chassis 71 for securing brushes 79, 79a contacting associated electrically-charged rails 7940 , 79a'. A support member 78 is mounted on each side of the chassis so that its associated brush 79, 79a can make contact with an electrical connection to the magnetic linear motor, in a matter which will be discussed, acting effectively as a commutator for a DC motor. Specifically, brushes 79, 79a are secured to the chassis, while associated brushes 81, 81a are connected to the windings of the motor, as seen in FIG. 7. A positive commutator pickup 82 is linearly spaced from a negative commutator pickup 83 and separated therefrom by a commutator neutral zone 84.

Once movement of the train is initiated, the travel of the train along alternately spaced positive and negative zones 82, 83 assists in maintaining traveling speed while minimizing or eliminating the need for power to the prime mover for the train which initiated such movement. Thus, the train in motion has a magnetically positive portion attracted to a forthcoming magnetically negative portion and is repelled by a just-passed mangetically positive portion. By such alternations, the commutation system acts like a rotary commutator, except that it is aligned along the rail.

FIG. 7 thus represents the electrical connections between the windings and the brushes. The diagram shows the position of the entrance and exit of electricity into each coil with about 50% of power in one position and the other 50% of power in another to create attraction or rejection depending on the relative position of the brushes.

In a manner similar to the levitation arrangement described in connection with FIG. 5, the linear motor 19 includes a plurality of magnetic units 51 each having ceramic magnetic members 85 spaced by intermediate malleable steel members 86, each unit being separated from an adjacent unit by a T-shaped malleable steel member 87 connected to a non-ferrous metal support 88.

Intermediate the generally parallel extending legs of the T-shaped members 87 is a channel 89 in which are positioned a plurality of metallic cores 90 about which are wound a plurality of turns 91 of conductive wire, such as copper. Such structure is best seen in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 8, a pair of protective cover members cover the channel 19 and a portion of the motor arrangement. As can also be seen, the suspension strap 77 mates with a strap holder 77b on the frame 30 of the train, similar to the strap hanger 77a on the movable motor part. As can also be seen, the brush support 78 supports the brushes 78 in a biased relationship to maintain contact between a face of each brush, and the adjacent commutator section. The copper wire windings 91 are fixed to a plurality of central steel shields. The lower portion of the core 100 of windings 91 and metallic shields 90 is stabilized by a pair of opposed rollers 112 each of which is supported in a C-shaped member 113 secured to a base 114 of the core 100. The rollers 112 thus act as lower guides for the unit as the train and thus the core 100 traverses the fixed portions of the structure. The windings 91 are secured through a core support 94 to the support member 90.

On the other hand, the ceramic units 51 are fixed to a side support member 106 in the channel 19 so that the movable core may traverse therebetween.

The linear motor is thus arranged to save energy by using the passive energy of the ceramic magnets combined with the T-shaped separations made of a malleable steel. Thus, the ceramic magnets act like a copper winding on a nucleus of malleable steel creating a reaction of the steel molecules similar to a copper winding working with conventional electricity. The linear commutator thus has two rails of alternative live and dead zones fed by brushes changing negative to positive. The central nucleus can be grouped in multiples of eight or more nuclei, but each nucleus has its own sets of brushes so that each can run singly or jointly depending on the need.

Thus, returning to FIG. 7, it can be seen that a magnetically south bus 102 is connected through a lead 104 to the brush 81a, to cause that brush to act as a magnetic south member. A magnetically north bus 103 is connected through a lead 105 to the brush 81, to cause that brush to act as a magnetic north member. Note that the bus 102 is alternately connected to the core and windings of the magnetic units to assume a magnetically south orientation, while the bus 103 is oppositely connected.

Thus, a rail vehicle has been described which operates based on magnetic units of the type which comprise a plurality of ceramic magnets supported therebetween by malleable steel, and spaced by malleable steel T-shaped members. The magnetic units are secured to an underside of a support member of the train and the top of a support member of a rail, so that the forces of attraction between opposing poles, when concentrated by the malleable steel, effectively lift the train off the support track. The train is linearly powered by a linear motor having a commutator structure along a channel along the track connected to a plurality of such magnetic units. The motor includes a movable core connected to a commutator structure. Thus, an efficient levitated train system with a linear motor propulsion system using ceramic magnets has been disclosed.

While the preferred embodiments described herein set forth the best mode to practice this invention presently contemplated by the inventor, numerous modifications and adaptations of this invention will be apparent to others skilled in the art. Therefore, the embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and exemplary and it is understood that numerous modifications and adaptations of the invention as described in the claims will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the claims are intended to cover such modifications and adaptations as they are considered to be within the spirit and scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A magnetic unit, comprising:a group of magnetic members comprising at least a pair of ceramic magnets; at least a pair of malleable steel members located adjacent each outer surface of said pair of ceramic magnets; and means for securing said pair of malleable steel members and said pair of ceramic magnets, thus to provide a magnetic unit which concentrates its magnetic flux through said malleable steel members; wherein said malleable steel members located at the outer surfaces of said magnetic members are generally L-shaped, and said malleable steel member located between said pair of said groups of said magnetic members is generally T-shaped; and further including at least a pair of said groups of said ceramic members forming said magnetic unit, and an additional malleable steel member located between said pair of said groups of said ceramic magnets.
 2. The magnetic unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein one of said pair of said groups of said ceramic magnets is mounted on a support member of a vehicle, and another of said pair of said groups of said ceramic magnets is mounted on a support member of a structure adjacent said vehicle, whereby attraction of said pair contributes to levitating said vehicle.
 3. The magnetic unit as set forth in claim 2 wherein means are provided for controlling a gap between said magnetic units.
 4. The magnetic unit as set forth in claim 3, wherein said means is a hydraulic unit which is microprocessor controlled.
 5. The magnetic unit as set forth in claim 4 wherein a sufficient plurality of said pairs of said groups of magnets are positioned along a right-of-way to cause said vehicle to be levitated for translational motion.
 6. The magnetic unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein another of said malleable steel members is located between said ceramic magnets forming said pair.
 7. The magnetic unit as set forth in claim 1, further including a non-magnetic member located adjacent a surface of said magnetic unit for securing magnetic unit to a support member.
 8. A system for supporting a train for traveling while levitated, comprising:a first support member forming a portion of said train; a second support member for supporting said train, a plurality of groups of ceramic magnetics placed in an elongated face-to-face relationship on each of said first and said second support members, said groups of said ceramic magnets being separated by magnetically conductive materials to focus lines of flux from at least adjacent pairs of said ceramic magnets, said plurality of said groups being positioned to attract each other; means for controlling an air gap between said groups on said first and said second support members wherein said first support member is a generally C-shaped member having inwardly-turned arm members with a surface thereon for securing a first group of said plurality of ceramic magnetic units thereto; said second support member defines a surface about parallel to said surface on said inwardly-turned arm member of said first support member for securing a second group of said plurality of ceramic magnetic units thereto, in an opposing relationship to said first group, the magnetic forces between said first and said second groups causing said train to levitate under the control of hydraulic means; and further including an intermediate projecting a reference member secured to said second support member projecting intermediate a pair of guide rollers supported in a support unit, said hydraulic member connected to said support unit and to said first support member on said train.
 9. The system as set forth in claim 8, further including a linear motor for assisting propulsion of said train, said linear motor including a plurality of said groups of said magnetic units located in an elongated channel in said second support member, said plurality of groups being respectively connected to form a first plurality of brush members along said path for said train with alternating positive and negative magnetic units;a second plurality of brush members on said train for contacting said first plurality of brush members along said path, whereupon travel of said train along said path is assisted by the respective magnetic forces of attraction and repulsion.
 10. A linear motor, for assisting movement of a levitated vehicle, comprising:a plurality of magnetic units having a plurality of group of ceramic magnetics disposed along a track for said levitated vehicle; means interconnecting with said plurality of said magnetic units for forming a plurality of respectively-located positive and negative brushes along said track; a plurality of magnetic cores having electrically conductive windings thereabout, disposed on said train in a channel along said track, so that alternatively forces of attraction and repulsion assist movement of said train; wherein magnetically conductive members are located at the ends of said plurality of ceramic magnets, and intermediate said groups of magnets, ends of said magnetically conductive members defining said channel in which said cores travel; and wherein said cores are supported by roller members contacting a portion of said channel.
 11. The linear motor as set forth in claim 10, wherein said cores are supported on said support member of said train.
 12. The linear motor as set forth in claim 11, wherein said brushes act as a linear commutator.
 13. The linear motor as set forth in claim 12, wherein said brushes alternately form a positive magnetic portion, a negative magnetic portion, and an intermediate portion, said brushes on said train respectively contacting said portions to successively receive attractive and repulsive forces. 